Olympic medalist Steveson returns to the mat for U

COLLEGE WRESTLING

Minnesota’s Gable Steveson prepares to take on Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet during their 285-pound match in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA wrestling championships in St. Louis in March 2021. JEFF ROBERSON — ASSOCIATED PRESS

Image

The most decorated wrestler in University of Minnesota history is returning to the mat for the Gophers.

Gable Steveson of Apple Valley, an Olympic gold medalist in 2021, two-time NCAA champion and two-time Hodge Trophy winner, is back in action for a fifth year of competition in the 2024-24 season, head coach Brandon Eggum announced Tuesday.

“First, I would like to thank the University of Minnesota for their time, their effort and their persistence with me to push me to be the man I am today,” Steveson said in his comeback video. “Minnesota has given me everything, and now it’s my turn to give it right back to them: to put my feet back on the wrestling mat, to be the champ, one more time.”

Steveson, a heavyweight, has the opportunity to return by utilizing NCAA waivers due to an Olympic redshirt and the extra year of eligibility that was granted in 2020 due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19. He is expected to make his season debut in a Nov. 24 dual meet against Campbell.

“Gable has the burning desire to compete for the Maroon and Gold one last time,” Eggum said. “We are thankful he has chosen the opportunity to add to his historic legacy with our program. He is one of the best to ever compete in the sport of wrestling, and we are grateful for the impact has had at our program.”

Steveson, who last competed during the 2021-22 season, is one of the most decorated wrestlers in Minnesota wrestling history.

The heavyweight is one of six in program history to win multiple NCAA championships (2021-22), one of eight to win three Big Ten titles (2020-22) and one of 11 to be a four-time All-American (2019-22). He boasts the best winning percentage in Gophers history with an 85-2 career record (.977), including a perfect 48-0 mark in dual competition and a 36-0 tally against Big Ten opponents.

The 2021-22 Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year, Steveson resumes his career on a 52-match winning streak, having gone undefeated over each of his last three seasons.

In between his time with the Gophers, Steveson competed in the WWE professional wrestling and in an NFL training camp with the Buffalo Bills. He has also been training with the Gopher Wrestling Club, and he won the 2023 US Open Wrestling Championships, as well as Final X, clinching a spot on the U.S. Senior Team ahead of the 2023 World Championships.